Train-pipe coupling



(No Model.) Zi F LIGHTNER TRAIN PIPE. COU-BLING.

N. 510,806. Patented Dee. 12,1893.

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TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,806, dated December 12, 1893.

Application tiled June l, 1893. Serial No. 476,23?. (No model.)

and arranged to enable the operator to establish communication between the several train pipes of adjacent cars, without stepping between the latter.

The inventionl consists of a coupling head formed with one or more openings, each adapted to receive at one end a coupling pipe `and connected at its other end with the train pipe.

My invention is an improvement in the class of automatic couplings for train pipes of the ordinary air-brake system, and has for object economy of size, weight and cost of its parts.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication, in which similar letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure lis a front elevation of the improvement as applied. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of one end of a coupling pipe.

The improved train pipe coupling is provided with acasing A, formed at one end with an intnrned annular flange A', supported at the outside on suitable posts B, secured to the under side of the car C, as is plainly shown in Fig. 1. Through the casing A extends longitudinally a cou-pling head D, on which is coiled a spring E, resting with one end on the said annular liange A and pressing with its other end on an annular shoulder D', formed on the head D nearits outer end.

In the head D are arranged one or more longitudinally extending openings D2, each connected at its inner end with a short pipe F, on which is fitted one end of a exible pipe or hose G, connected with a branch pipe H of the train pipe H, secured to the under side of the car in the usual manner. Each of the branch pipes ll is provided with a stop-cock H2, the stem H3 of which extends upward to the top of the platform of the car to be nianipulated from the latter by the operator turning the usual hand Wheel H4 on the upper end of the stem, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The ends of each train pipe H are closed by a suitable cap H5, so that communication from one branch pipe to the corresponding hosev G is had only when the stop-cock I-I2 is open.

The outer end of each longitudinal. opening'lzopens into a iiaring mouth D3 containlng an elastic bushing I, adapted to be engaged by the head J of a coupling pipe J supported on a chain Kl attached to the under side of the car C. Each of the coupling pipes J is provided with a second head J2, similar in construction to the head J' and carrying, like the latter, at its small end, an elastic ring'JS adapted to be seated on a seat in the bushing I of a corresponding coupling head. The heads J and J2 are preferably made conical to fit into the correspondingly shaped openings in the bushing I, it being understood that the openingsin the said bushing are continuous with the flaring mouth D3 and the opening D2. It is understood that the head J2 engages a bushing I in the head D of the coupling of the next following car, so as to establish communication between the train pipe of one car and that of the other at the time the stop-cocks H2 are opened.

The outward sliding motion of the head D is limited by a key L engaging the said head near its inner end and abutting against the inner end of the casing A.

The operation is as follows: Vhen making up a train of cars, the operator places the coupling pipes J in position in one coupling head A, so that when the cars come together the outermost head of the coupling pipes will move into engagement with the bushings in the coupling head D of the approaching oar. Themomentum of the approaching car causes aAbumping of the heads D, which latter, on account of being yieldingly mounted in the casings A, will give sufciently to prevent destruction of the several parts, at the same time insuring a proper coupling of the Aheads J .I2 with the corresponding bushings I in the coupling heads l). 'lhe bell-shaped mouth D3 permits a ready entrance of the outermost head J2 of the coupling pipe, so that the latter is guided to the bushing at the time the cars move toward each other for coupling. Then this has been done, the operator on the platform of the car opens the corresponding stop-cocks H2, so that communication is established between the train pipe of one car and that of the next adjacent car, the communication extending through the hose G, pipe F, opening D2, coupling pipe J, to the opening D2 of the head of the next following car, and by the pipes F and G of that head with the corresponding train pipe. It will be seen that the operator need not step between the cars while coupling or uncoupling the train pipe coupling, as he can set the pipes J so that they will couple automatically with the approaching car, and after this has been done he can open the stopcocks from the platform of the car, as above described. It will also be seen that should a train break in two while in motion, the pipes J will readily separate from one of the heads D without damage, and at the same time the openingof the corresponding train pipe will apply the automatic brake immediately on the re,t section of the train, thus avoiding' all danger of collision between two portions or sections of a train. In case a flying switch is made,

the car so switched is charged with air. Then the manin charge ot the car can operate the air brake on the car by manipulating the stopcock H2, so that this car is completely under the control of the operator.

My invention can be attached to cars Without removing the hose coupling now in use, as the branch pipes Il can be inserted in the train pipe II behind the stop cock now used, thus permitting the placing' of a car not equipped with my invention in a train of cars equipped with it, by using the hose couplings which can remain on the cars with my invention, and keeping the stop-cocks Iii" closed at the ends of the cars which are coupled to the car not equipped with the improved coupling, so that the escape of air is prevented at those openings, and a continuous passage of air is formed through the entire train.

As illustrated in the drawings, the usual two pipes H, are employed, of which the lower one is the air whistle pipe and the upper one the air brake pipe.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A train pipe coupling mechanism consisting in the valved train pipes having valve operating stems extending above the platform, a tubular casing, a longitudinally yielding spring cushioned coupling head mounted in the casing and having a plurality of longitudinal bores flared at their outer ends and flexible pipes connecting their rear ends with the respective train pipes, and the coupling pipe having both ends provided with tapering heads to iit the flaring mouths of the coupling heads, substantially as set forth.

ZACHARIAH F. LGHTNER.

lVitnesses:

A. E. SWAN, TH. G. LIGHTNER. 

